Community center taking shape at town park

The new community center being constructed at the German Flatts Town Park is taking shape.

The walls are up and cement was being trucked in Saturday and poured into a concrete pump to fill the Styrofoam blocks being used to build the structure.

By Donna Thompson

The Times

By Donna Thompson

Posted Nov. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 2, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By Donna Thompson

Posted Nov. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 2, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Mohawk, N.Y.

The new community center being constructed at the German Flatts Town Park is taking shape.

The walls are up and cement was being trucked in Saturday and poured into a concrete pump to fill the Styrofoam blocks being used to build the structure.

“It’s going great,” said German Flatts Town Supervisor Frank Spatto. “Next week I think they’ll be putting the roof on it. Once the roof is on, I can breathe a sigh of relief because it will be protected from the weather.”

He said when the roof is on and the windows and doors are in place, “then the volunteers can get in there; we can do a lot for ourselves.”

Spatto said the building was designed with two floors so events can be held upstairs and downstairs. A large event might use both floors. There will be a 30 by 30 foot kitchen as well as the main hall.

Nelson Johnson, a member of the Friends of the German Flatts Town Park who was assisting with the traffic flow during Saturday’s operations, said the building materials being used will provide strength and good insulation once the center is closed up. He added a covered deck is planned for the east side of the building.

The work is being funded primarily through a $150,000 grant from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Environmental Protection Fund and with the help of volunteers, donations and grants.

The Friends of the Town Park of German Flatts conducts several events at the park throughout the year, including the annual Living History event in late September, the annual Cow Plop Bingo event, Polish Fest and Christmas in the Park, scheduled for Dec. 7.

There is currently a gazebo on the park grounds, along with a concession stand.